I've been working on this post since November. The subject of abortion and unborn life is so sensitive I actually thought about deleting this before it was finished. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I didn't delete it. I have decided to publish this post because the Holy Spirit revealed insights from the Word of God that I needed to put down for someone to read. If you read this post and decide to comment, please be sensitive to other readers and to me.
This post is taken from a radio message by Chip Ingram. You can find the podcast at Living on the Edge.
God says he has absolute truth. God created life in Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
We know human life is sacred because God created it. God had capitol punishment in the Bible, whether we agree with it or not and scripture affords the same value to a fetus, from the first cell on, as to any other human life.
The first Scripture used against abortion is often quoted by Christians.
Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
God was involved in plans for us before we were born, not after we took our first breath. We find examples of this in both the Old and New Testaments. (David, Jeremiah, Paul)
But... what if in Scripture, we saw the same punishment for the murder of an unborn baby as for fully developed human beings?
In Exodus 20, there is the receiving of the Ten Commandments. The following chapters in Exodus are an explanation and application of these Commandments.
Exodus 21:22-25
22 If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
God views the fetus as special, needing protection as a pre-born human being.
If we believe the Bible is truth, we can not ignore this teaching.
There are several emotional oppositions the Pro-choice movement uses to keep us from taking our stand.
The mothers' life is in danger.
This is extremely rare and exceptionally uncommon. Former US Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Coop has said that in 30 years of practicing pediatric medicine, neither himself nor his colleagues ever had to choose between the life of the mother and baby.
Pregnancy from rape and incest.
These are horrific tragedies. However, punishing an unborn human for sin committed by another doesn't solve anything. Two wrongs don't make a right. Only 0.06% of rape result in pregnancy. Due to post-rape exams and procedures performed by hospitals (i.e. D & C), rape resulting pregnancy is extremely rare. The act of abortion is much harder on the mother emotionally and physically with regret, guilt, and depression toping the list.
A return to back ally abortion.
Before abortion was legal, in 1965 only 265 deaths occurred due to illegal abortions. Abortion became legal in 1973, since that time with the advances in medicine we would expect the statistics to have become better. However, according to the CDC, the statistics for the mortality of the mother is almost exactly the same. Of all pregnancy-related complications in New York and California, 20% were due to abortions. In 1996, about 20 women for every 1,000 women aged 15-44 years had an abortion, and for every 1,000 live births, about 325 abortions were performed, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
So, where do we go from here? What do we do about Christians who are professing the word of God but teach contrary to it? First, we need to work on finding forgiveness. There has to be an accountability to take responsibility for false teaching and then establish limits. Violence is ungodly and unrighteous. Bombing abortion clinics and murdering doctors is sin and, again, two wrongs don't make a right.
Romans 16:17-19
17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
We are called to be light to the world, not heat. Light illuminates, heat drives away. It is not our place to keep others from sinning, but to bring the darkness to light and gently restore our brother in Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Matthew 18:15-17
15 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Acting in love, we need to be sure our method matches the message of Christ. How would he approach someone caught in the middle? WWJD? The loving body of Christ's Church has to use dialogue, not condemnation, so as not to drive our brother away.
Ephesians 4:15-18
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
It is vital to address the core issue based on the word of God: is it a human being or a mass of tissue? If you are able to use these scriptures to help your brother (or sister) to understand what this means, be sure to listen to their answer and share the truth in love.
I did not post this subject as a debate on interpretation of scripture. Everything written is from the Word of God, taken in context, and has been brought with prayer and love. If you have been convicted here by the Holy Spirit, please take it to God. Study his Word, the answers to all of lifes questions are there. He is faithful and he will honor seeking his name in truth.
About Me
- Laura
- I have peace that passes understanding by surrendering my life wholeheartedly to God, following Him without regret. "...seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul." Deut 4:29
Music To Inspire (press pause to silence)
8 comments:
Laura,
Thank you for your thoughtful and truthful post.
I believe the issue is that people don't weigh the issue of abortion against Scripture. If they did, there would be no issue.
Scripture is clear that is is sin.
I loved the one from the Old Testament that you shared. I had never thought about that Scripture as a support against abortion, but you are so correct in it's application.
I remember when I was in my 20s, and went to a church where they were discussing abortion from the pulpit that morning. They were all wearing these little baby feet pins, and I was furious!
I thought I was a Christian at the time...I sure knew Scripture...I just didn't know the Lord.
Anyway...I was so mad that they were taking a "political" issue and preaching about it!
I swore I'd never return!
Wow! How the Lord changes us!
I now know from Scripture, what you so eloquently showed us...that abortion is murder by God's standard...and that's the only standard that matters to me today.
You did a great job on this post!
I only wish there was a way to tell all the young women of the world about the emotional devastation and pain that come from abortion...and about the physical ramificiations that could be with them for the rest of their lives.
Telling them in love is the only way to make a difference in their hearts...hatred will never accomplish that.
Love you!
Jes
Greg Koukl wrote an article on this issue titled "The American Holocaust" with a lead-in that says, "The lynching of African-Americans by the KKK. Jewish genocide by the Third Reich. Abortion in America. Do these three have anything in common?"
It is a well written article and a thoughtful one as well (as Greg often is).
I have personally thought that the root of the issue is that we have forgotten that we are created in the image of God. We are not our own and we don't have the right to make those types of decisions, especially when it involves an innocent child that has no way to defend itself in any sense of the word.
Shawn
Thank you both for your comments. I knew this would be hard for many people to read, even Christians. Jesica, your point about this being a political issue is one I did not touch on in the original post. However, since you brought it up, I will expound on it.
Many Christians are not convicted that allowing legalized abortion is an issue we must address. Our current tax system uses my tax dollars, against my will, to perform abortions for women on welfare and Medicaid. Most often as a form of birth control. This is not ok. And to say that God cannot use a tragic situation to bring awesome glory to his Name does not give him enough room to do so.
Although I’m not withholding my taxes, I will research the abortion issue for every candidate on the ’08 ballot and my vote will go pro-life. (I’m pretty sure who that will be, but I’m not opening that can of worms… yet.)
Dear Mr. Anonymous,
Your comments are welcome on this blog. However, your anonymous identity allows you to write things that you wouldn't say if you were face-to-face with me. You claim that your comments have the authority of Scripture, then why the anonymity?
This topic affects all humans, male and female, so your comments are welcome!
Thanks.
My name is Jeff Osborn if you want to post my comment....or not. Not sure I would say this to your face because we don't know each other.
Laura, you say you're being led by the Holy Spirit to discuss this issue? Why? Has this issue touched your life in any way other than your tax dollars? Because it has touched mine...(as you know, Laura.)
Let's be honest here...the scripture doesn't address abortion directly! The Exodus scripture quoted addresses a woman caused to miscarry by an accident. The other passages you quote do show us that God created and values life. So of course, we know that abortion is a serious issue as is other "sin" such as divorce, addiction, fornication, gossip, lying, etc. None of these have a place in God's perfect plan. But we live in a fallen world that we cannot "legislate" into perfection.
I believe God gave us brains and expects us to use them. Lumping all abortion into one "black and white" category shows a lack of compassion and understanding that I find disturbing.
Have you ever known anyone who had to choose between their life and the life of their unborn child?
Do you know anyone who has had to choose to bear a child conceived from rape or incest?
Do you know anyone who has flippantly used abortion as birth control?
If so, does calling them a "murderer" help win them to Christ?
It's very easy debate an issue like this in the blog-world from afar.
Scripture also says, "Stop judging others and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you." (Luke 6:37)
Also, "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in own?" (Matthew 7:3)
With all due respect, I'd find this conversation more "spirit-filled" if you were discussing sin that has touched your life personally instead of judging people in circumstances you can only speculate on. Or perhaps if you were discussing how to help women who find themselves in these circumstances.
We as Christians have to consider how we look to the world and this blog is seen by "the world". Respectfully, I have to say that this "conversation" might make Christians look to the world like "arrogant know-it-alls" with no compassion whatsoever!
We would do well as Christians (and I do include myself here) to remember this verse: "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law—justice, mercy, and faith." (Matthew 23:23)
And: "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)
I realize that my previous post may have come on a little strong. I just want to urge you, as a fellow sister in Christ, to please tread lightly when discussing sensitive topics in a public forum, such as a blog where you can't speak with people face to face! (A mistake I may have made today!)
The emotional damage you might do to someone who has actually had to deal with this might be far greater than any good you feel it might do. Sin is sin and "all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard". (Romans 3:23)
May God bless all of us as we live in this sinful world to show His compassion and love to all our fellow travelers who struggle in this life!
Laura,
I'm so happy God gave you the courage to write this post. I think it shows a very loving and compassionate heart.
When I was about 19, an 18 year old gal from our church was raped in the parking lot at the community college that many of our youth group attended. This precious girl faced her resulting pregnancy with the most amazing grace. She carried her precious baby to term and gave it to a loving family, of her choosing, to be raised in a family that could bear no children of their own. I can only imagine the months as she carried this precious little life inside her. She couldn't celebrate their future together: no shower for her, or decorated nursery. But she was the one who gave the most amazing gift of sacrifice. It was a gift of life to a baby that was conceived in violence and evilness. But she showed her baby perfect and unselfish love. It was NOT an easy decision but one she will never have to look back on with regret. She felt as you do, that two wrongs don't make a right. She knew the family could give her baby a warm, financially secure and loving home that she could not offer at her young age. What an amazing and unselfish gift to give her child.
Abortion at the time was being pushed by free clinics in our city. When I myself, at age 20 suspected I was pregnant and not married at the time, I went to our free clinic. They gave me a pregnancy test and told me I was indeed pregnant. They immediately said "Do you want to have the baby? You can have an abortion in a couple of days and it won't cost you a cent, because MediCal will pay for it. What do you want to do?" After I thought about it for all of 20 seconds, I said "Well, I think I have to have an abortion because my family will never understand." The clinic woman never gave me any options. She never asked me if I wanted some counseling. She didn't give me information on any homes for unwed mothers. She offered no other assistance. She just said "Well, now that you've made your decision, don't tell anyone else about it. They might try to change your mind. Come back in two days and you'll have the abortion and then you'll be fine." How could she possibly know that? I was so scared. I couldn't keep it to myself though and shared it with a friend who immediately told my Mother. Thank God! I had a friend who loved me enough to NOT keep my secret.
My story has a very happy ending. I married my fiance and have lived happily for 26 years together. The precious baby is now 26 and married himself.
I tell this story because I do know what it's like to be in the situation. I do know people who have had abortions and lived to regret years and years later. People very, very close to me. I didn't have a relationship with Jesus in those early days but I think if my Mother had told me of our wonderful and loving and forgiving heavenly Father and shared the scriptures you just did with me, I would never have considered the abortion. You have spoken the truth in this post and I appreciate it. It will be a blessing to many who read it.
I love you!
Laurie
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